Judge says polluter law can be used against mining company
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A state judge says Montana environmental regulators can use a law meant to provide protection from chronic industrial polluters against an Idaho-based mining company and its chief executive.
State District Court Judge Mike Menahan said in a recent ruling that Hecla Mining Company and Chief Executive Officer Phillips Baker, Jr. are subject to the state’s “bad actor” law.
The law blocks individuals and companies who don’t clean up their old mines from starting new ones.
Hecla is proposing two copper and silver mines that would tunnel beneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
